Tips for Smoother Tweaknews Access During Busy Times

Tweaknews aims to provide consistent and reliable access to Usenet articles. During periods of peak traffic, however, users may notice occasional performance slowdowns. The tips below can help improve access during these times.

1. Use All Available Connections

Tweaknews supports up to 60 concurrent SSL connections. Make sure your newsreader is configured to use the maximum number of connections allowed by your plan. This setting is typically found in the server configuration section of your newsreader.

2. Choose SSL for More Stable Speeds

SSL connections not only secure your Usenet access but also help stabilize speed during network congestion. Be sure your client is configured to connect via SSL (port 563 or 443) for the best results.

3. Try Alternate Ports

If your ISP throttles certain ports or if a specific port is congested, switching to an alternate SSL port may help. Tweaknews supports SSL on ports 563 and 443, and non-SSL access on port 119.

4. Schedule Access During Off-Peak Hours

Accessing Usenet during off-peak times—early morning or late evening—can lead to better performance. If practical, consider adjusting your schedule accordingly.

5. Check for Local Network Interference

Make sure no other applications or devices on your network are using significant bandwidth. Streaming, gaming, or large updates can reduce the speed available for Usenet access.

6. Test with a Different Newsreader

If performance continues to lag, try using an alternate newsreader to rule out software issues. Tweaknews supports all standard Usenet clients and works with the UsenetWire newsreader, which is preconfigured for use with it.

7. Use a Wired Connection

If you're using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection to reduce latency and avoid wireless interference.